The National Weather Service has stated that it will do a storm survey in Mahanoy City following Monday's tornado.
The NWS stated Monday evening around 10:30pm, that a Preliminary Storm Survey is scheduled for Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at 11:00am for the area near Mahanoy City where the tornado was believed to have touched down.
The reported tornado occurred around 7:45pm, Monday, as severe storms pushed through the borough. Schuylkill County 911 dispatched relayed information to first responders immediately following the storm that radar showed a possible tornado in the area.
There were initial reports of a possible tornado with the storm in the area east of Ringtown as well.
The tornado was caught by numerous eyewitnesses on their cell phones as the funnel cloud developed on the west end of the borough.
The Mahanoy Area School District took a large brunt of the damage that included water damage, broken windows, and multiple pieces of wood penetrated the school's roof, according to Superintendent Joie Green.
Superintendent Green also said there was a lot of trees and debris to clean up around the school. School was closed Tuesday while district officials determine how to move forward for the final 2 days of school, including graduation which is scheduled for Wednesday evening.
The storm also damaged the Dollar General sign in the area of Centre Street and D Street. Several roofs were reported to have been ripped off of homes and siding thrown through the borough.
As we were on scene, we found damage to structures as far east as Carina's Pizza in the unit block of east Centre Street.
Initial reports from PPL after the storm left the area, reported over 600 homes without power in Mahanoy City. As of 8:30am, Tuesday, that number was reduced to 6.
Stay tuned to Skook News as we will have more information later Tuesday after the National Weather Service conducts their survey.
School Damage Photos Courtesy of Jack Hurst
Skook News Photos / Frank Andruscavage & J. Reed
